Original Research

Comparison of 1,3-Beta-D-Glucan & Galactomannan Antigens inEarly Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Infections

Tayyeba Komal1
Narowal Medical College, Narowal, Pakistan
Hina Bukhari2
King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital Lahore, Pakistan
Sami Ullah Mumtaz2
King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital Lahore, Pakistan
Aliya Muzafar Gillani2
King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital Lahore, Pakistan
Somia Iqtadar2
King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital Lahore, Pakistan
Israr Ul Haque2
King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital Lahore, Pakistan

✉ Correspondence: Tayyeba Komal Email: drtksami@gmail.com

DOI https://doi.org/10.70302/jpsim.v7i2.2630
Volume: 7, Issue 2 Pages: 150–154 Published: 03 Jun 2026
Received: 20 Dec 2025 Revised: 15 Apr 2026 Accepted: 04 May 2026 Published Online: 03 Jun 2026

Abstract

Objective

To compare the efficacy of 1,3-beta-D-glucan & galactomannan antigens for early diagnosis of invasive fungal infections (IFIs).

Methods

This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted at Pathology department, King Edward Medical University, Lahore for 6 months. 37 confirmed patients of IFIs were enrolled. Venous samples were taken carefully in sterile serum cups from all patients and samples were divided in 2 groups on the basis of antigen biomarker applied i.e. BDG and Galactomannan. BDG of >80 pg/ml was declared positive while galactomannan index > 0.5 was taken as positive. Data was analyzed in SPSS-26.

Results

The mean age was 42.43±14.83 years. Out of 37, 26 (70.27%) were males and 11 (29.73%) females. Candida was seen in 21 (56.76%), mucor in 8 (21.62%), aspergillus in 6 (16.22%) and trichosporon in 2 (5.41%) patients. BDG showed positive for 23 (62.16%) and negative for 14 (37.84%) IFIs while Galactomannan was positive for 6 (16.22%) and negative for 31 (83.78%) IFIs. The sensitivity of BDG was 62.16% and Galactomannan was 16.22%. The comparison between two biomarkers was significant (p=0.037).

Conclusion

BDG was more effective than galactomannan for early diagnosis of IFIs.

Keywords
Invasive Fungal Infections comparison 1 3-beta-D-Glucan Galactomannan.

How to Cite This Article

Komal T, Bukhari H, Mumtaz SU, Gillani AM, Iqtadar S, Haque IU. Comparison of 1,3-Beta-D-Glucan & Galactomannan Antigens inEarly Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Infections. J Pak Soc Intern Med. 2026;7(2):150–154. doi:10.70302/jpsim.v7i2.2630

Conflict of Interest

All authors declare no competing interests.

Disclosed in accordance with ICMJE and COPE guidelines.

Funding

No specific funding was received for this research.

Funder information follows the Crossref Funder Registry standard.

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CC BY CC BY 4.0 This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. May be shared and adapted with attribution. © 2026 Journal of Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine.
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